Spirit.
[6]
Thou mayest be much deceived
To think thy case more sad,
And thine Afflictions heavier
Then ever any had.
What if the way be such
As never foot did tread?
Some must go foremost: why not thou,
As well as others, lead?
[7]
What if through uncouth ways1
God make thee long to trace?
If yet at last he bring thee safe
Unto a resting place:
Shalt thou not have good cause
His mercy to adore?
And to extol and magnify
His Name for evermore?
[8]
Are not thy sins much more
Then all thy Sufferings?2
And dost not thou deserve from God
Ten times more bitter things?
Small reason hath the man
To murmur at the Cross,
Whom God might justly punish with3
Eternal Pain and Loss.
⟨p. 160⟩[9]
Be silent then frail Flesh:
Impatience hold thy tongue,
And murmur not against the Lord,
As if he did thee wrong.
4Justice can do no wrong▪
Nor Mercy cruel be:
Wisdom sees this condition
To be the best for thee.
[10]
Love ordereth all for good;
5Power hath undertaken
To give thee strength: And Truth hath said
Thou shalt not be forsaken.
Take courage then, my Soul,
And moderate thy fears:
6For God himself, who causeth grief,
Will wipe away thy tears.
[11]
7Under his mighty hand
Do thou thy self abase:
8Return to him with all thine heart,
And sue to him for Grace.
Thy Darkness into Light
He speedily will turn,
9Who After-mercies hath in store
To comfort them that mourn.
Spirit.
[6]
Thou may'st be much deceiv'd
To think thy case more sad,
And thine Afflictions heavier
Then ever any had.
What if the way be such
As never foot did tread?
Some must go foremost: why not thou,
As well as others, lead?
[7]
What if through uncouth wayes1
God make thee long to trace?
If yet at last he bring thee safe
Unto a resting place:
Shalt thou not have good cause
His mercy to adore?
And to extoll and magnifie
His Name for evermore?
[8]
Are not thy sins much more
Then all thy Sufferings?2
And do'st not thou deserve from God
Ten times more bitter things?
Small reason hath the man
To murmure at the Cross,
Whom God might justly punish with3
Eternal Pain and Loss.
⟨p. 160⟩[9]
Be silent then frail Flesh:
Impatience hold thy tongue,
And murmu•e not against the Lord,
As if he did thee wrong.
4Justice can do no wrong▪
Nor Mercy cruel be:
Wisdome sees this condition
To be the best for thee.
[10]
Love ordereth all for good;
5Power hath undertaken
To give thee strength: And Truth hath said
Thou shalt not be forsaken.
Take courage then, my Soul,
And moderate thy fears:
6For God himself, who causeth grief,
Will wipe away thy tears.
[11]
7Under his mighty hand
Do thou thy self abase:
8Return to him with all thine heart,
And sue to him for Grace.
Thy Darkness into Light
He speedily will turn,
9Who After-mercies hath in store
To comfort them that mourn.
- 1Jer. 2.6, 7.
- 2Job 11.6.
- 3[…] •.22, 3• ▪〈…〉 •.22, 3• ▪
- 4Job 34.10, 17.
- 5Rom. 8.28. Psa. 41.3. Heb. 13.5.
- 6Rev. 7.17.
- 71 Pet. 5.6.
- 8Hos. 6.1, 2.
- 9Isa. 57.15
